The Notorious Mrs. Armstrong, directed by Paula Kelly, follows the political career of a lesser known yet extremely important figure in Canadian history, Helen Armstrong.

Helen was one of the organizers of the historic 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, which saw 35,000 workers on the picket line for six weeks, until it ended in the confrontation, Bloody Saturday. Armstrong’s continued actions as a union organizer helped persuade the government of Manitoba to institute the Minimum Wage Act and give liveable wages to women.

History has largely ignored her groundbreaking women’s movement activities which helped change labour legislation in favour of female workers. Armstrong, a working class mother, was well known in Winnipeg in the early 1900s where she was described as a radical agitator and often ended up in jail for her endeavours.

“Outraged and outrageous” was one way to describe the woman who was notorious for her fight for equality for women in the work place. Her in-destructible optimism carried her through very difficult times.

The film will be introduced by Paula Kelly before the screening.

The WFG’S Cinematheque, 100 Arthur Street
Show 7:00 PM
(Regular Admission)